[center][h3][color=#ff9900]Luclie: a chance encounter[/color][/h3][/center]
Luke looked up as a motorcycle pulled off a little bit ahead of him. The woman flipped her visor up and called to him, saying she would give him a ride to the exit. He hesitated a moment, unsure of whether he should trust her - but she looked genuine. He glanced over his shoulder, briefly considering going into the forest to find his helmet, but that would take time that he didn't have. It was gone forever now. He ran to the bike and hopped on.

[color=#ff9900]"Thanks,"[/color] he muttered. [color=#ff9900]"Do you have an extra - nevermind. Just don't kill me, I got a kid at home."[/color] He didn't mean to sound harsh or ungrateful, but his tone reflected the anger he still felt after the crash.

As they cruised along, Luke looked around, trying to place where they were. The exit spit them out onto a nearly deserted road, with few businesses lining either side and no clue as to their geographic location. He sighed. The chances of a bus coming out here were slim... but as far as he could see, it was the only option he had.

Then the woman pulled into a gas station. She made a comment about him being dumb for crashing - [i]no fucking way, I had no idea that crashing was a bad idea[/i]. Luke clenched his fists. [color=#ff9900]"Pretty dumb of the trucking company to hire someone who can't fucking drive. I got run off the road, it wasn't my fault."[/color] Maybe it was pride, or maybe that anger was bubbling up again, but he couldn't stop from defending himself. He took a deep breath as she mentioned a phone. [color=#ff9900]"Good idea. I'll go check."[/color] The words came through gritted teeth.

He ran into the gas station and slapped his hands on the counter to get the cashier's attention. [color=#ff9900]"Bus schedule - do you have one?"[/color] He was demanding and rushed, and he did nothing to try and soften his words.

The teenager behind the counter shook his head, unsure of what to make of the man. The kid opened his mouth to say something, but Luke didn't wait to hear it. He glanced out the window to the woman who had picked him up. The last thing he wanted was for her to leave without him. He stormed out of the gas station as the kid called after him that the nearest bus terminal was almost an hour away.

Luke slowed a little as he approached the woman, trying to appear more friendly. [color=#ff9900]"So, listen. Let me thank you for your help."[/color] He pointed in the direction they came from and forced a smile. [color=#ff9900]"We passed a greasy spoon a little bit that way, let me buy you lunch."[/color]

It wasn't ideal: he knew he needed to find the source of the bell fast, but this place was the middle of nowhere. Even if he wanted to call someone to find him, Phoenix was just too far away - it would take a full day, at least, for someone to drive out. And he couldn't wait that long. With luck, he could sweet talk this woman into helping him at least get to the nearest Greyhound... or find someone else at the diner who would.

Besides, he realized, he'd eaten nothing since starting his journey the day before. He was running on caffeine and fumes... and the caffeine was starting to wear off. A few cups of coffee and a hot meal would help him recharge enough to keep going.

[@Pirouette]